Track of the Day: Aoife Doyle - 'Strength To Be Strong'

Irish songwriter Aoife Doyle has released the first single from her upcoming album, titled 'Strength To Be Strong'.

The singer-songwriter played at the “Down with Jazz” festival at Meeting House Square in Dublin a number of weeks ago, which marked her first performance of original material in over 18 months.

A groovy, soulful mix of gospel, jazz and roots, with stomping brass arrangements; the single platforms Doyle's passion for the craft of songwriting itself.

“'Strength To Be Strong' is about having to dig deep to find the strength to stay strong in the face of ongoing adversity," Aoife tells Hot Press. "To release this song as the first single off the album felt like an appropriate choice, given the world events of the last 18 months.”

While she has been performing for many years, it was in Clare that Aoife found her songwriting voice. She grew up in a house steeped in traditional and folk music, and completed a BA in jazz performance at the prestigious Newpark Music Centre, and an MA in Songwriting at the World Academy of Music and Dance in UL.

She cites a wide and varied range of musical influences - including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Alison Krauss and Eva Cassidy, as well as Marvin Gaye, Tammy Tyrell, Joni Mitchell, Beyoncé, Declan O’Rourke, Ger Wolfe and Bjork. Echoes of this intriguing mix come through to various extents on different tracks on the album.

“When it came to writing this album, I was trying to push myself creatively," the artist continues. "The writing itself is quite instinctive, so there wasn't an overall plan to step away from jazz, it just sort of came out that way. My first two albums have elements of folk, soul and blues so I guess a step further in that direction isn't all that surprising.”

'Strength To Be Strong' was produced by the highly-regarded musician, arranger and producer Michael Buckley, as was the album. The single was recorded at House of Horns Studio in Dublin. D

Doyle is joined by a stellar band on the track, featuring pianist Johnny Taylor, guitarist/singer Jack Maher, trumpet player Ronan Dooney, vocalist Margot Daly, saxophonist Michael Buckley, bassist Andrew Csibi and drummer Dominic Mullan.

Listen to 'Strength To Be Strong' below: